SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® Celebrates 15th Anniversary

Words: Jeff FarmakesOver the last 14 years much of the buzz in the masonry industry was centered on one simple question, who is the “World’s Best Bricklayer?” Whether it’s on job sites, in contractor offices or at material supply yards, members of the masonry industry have caught the fire of the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® movement. When SPEC MIX®, Inc. launched the competition in 2003, the event started out as a straight forward bricklaying competition to spotlight the speed and accuracy of masons. Today, it is a phenomenon that has taken the industry by storm in more ways than one.

Celebrating its 15th Anniversary World Championship competition on Wednesday, January 18th, 2017 at the World of Concrete tradeshow in Las Vegas, the event is renowned as the entertainment venue and top attraction for the show’s 70,000 plus attendees. It doesn’t seem to matter whether the spectators have a vested interest in the masonry or concrete side of the construction industry; the crowds that gather in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Gold Lot have grown exponentially.

At the coming year’s bricklaying series finale, an estimated 4,000 spectators will see an intense battle between 25 two-man teams comprised of one mason and one mason tender racing against a 60-minute clock to build a 26’-8” double-wythe brick wall. While working at a feverish clip to install as many units as possible, each team must adhere to the strict quality standards, judged by 30 highly qualified masonry experts enforcing 10 sets of craftsmanship requirements. It’s the world’s only true test of speed, skill, and stamina that decides which bricklayer from the US, Canada, or England will win the title of World’s Best Bricklayer and a purse of over $100,000 in cash and prizes including a 2017 FORD F-250 4x4 Super Duty truck.

Over the years the contest has evolved into a year-round series of events, adding over 20 regional qualifier rounds held throughout North America that ultimately establish the final roster for the championship showdown in Las Vegas. Like athletes, these masons and their trusted tenders train, practice and strategize for the Event, a practice that’s indicative of the pride and competitive drive they display on jobsites every day. For many, just winning a Regional Qualifier contest and securing a spot in Las Vegas is an honor, but like all highly skilled competitors, winning is everything. To add to the excitement of the 15th Annual contest, its fans will be cheering for nine new faces that will be entering the championship showdown for their first time.

The SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 program was created to give back to the masonry trade and has expanded in many positive aspects. Regardless of its growth the event remains laser-focused on achieving its original goals of uniting the masonry industry and putting the craft’s trowel-toting artisans on the world’s stage. It’s also taken on the role as the masonry industry’s top marketing campaign, frequently leveraged by industry professionals to infuse a strong sense of pride within its craftsmen, as well as masonry instructors using it as a tool to recruit young adults and individuals looking to start a new career.

The masonry industry has a lot to celebrate this year and is inviting you to join the masonry movement that is rallying at the 2017 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 World Championship. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss as thousands of industry enthusiasts will be celebrating 15 years of masonry pride and the endless assignment of working together to KEEP THE TRADE STRONG!

THE 2017 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER® 500 World Championship Competition Roster includes:

1. Scott Tuttle, Bricklayer
Quik Trowell Masonry
Clearfield, UT
Troy Nye, Tender

2. Joshua Jackson, Bricklayer
Jackson Masonry
Granite City, IL
Bill Ellinger Jr, Tender

3. David Langston Jr., Bricklayer
Masonry Incorporated
Tallahassee, FL
Antonio Barrera Jr., Tender

4. Cole Stamper, Bricklayer
Mason Structure
Lexington, KY
Forest Stamper, Tender

5. Brian Tuttle, Bricklayer
Quik Trowell Masonry
Clearfield, UT
Todd Eldredge

6. Ben Griffin, Bricklayer
Keystone Masonry
Yelm, WA
Rory Chessie, Tender

7. Esteban Cabral, Bricklayer
Phoenix Masonry
Thornton, CO
Oscar Gaucin, Tender

8. Jake Brock, Bricklayer
Brock Construction
Fort Atkinson, WI
Eric Wiesmann, Tender

9. David Chavez, Bricklayer
Ranch Masonry
Houston, TX
Omar Castro, Tender

10. Benoit Jeannotte, Bricklayer
Maçonnerie Legault
Gatineau, QC
Simon Goulet Tender

11. Vince Polverini, Bricklayer
D.M. Sabia & Company Inc.
Conshohocken, PA
Rich Small, Tender

12. Vincent Wright, Bricklayer
Wright Masonry
Section, AL
Clint Wright, Tender

13. Darian Douthit, Bricklayer
Providence Masonry
Miami, OK
Andy Zepeda, Tender

14. Mario Alves, Bricklayer
A & M Masonry
Hamilton, ON
Kevin Avila, Tender

15. Leif Reints, Bricklayer
Reints Masonry
Wyandotte, OK
Michael Weisinger, Tender

16. Grzegorz Goral, Bricklayer
Molloy Masonry Inc.
Chicago, IL
Stefan Majercak, Tender

17. David Puga Arce, Bricklayer
Stone Cold Masonry
Phoenix, AZ
Luis Carlos Estrada, Tender

18. Mark Wells Sr., Bricklayer
BJCC Inc.
Kinnelon, NJ
Mark Wells Jr., Tender

19. Lupe Marquez, Bricklayer
Dee Brown Inc.
Garland, TX
Santos Gorrostieta, Tender

20. Matt Cash, Bricklayer
Huntley Brothers
Monroe, NC
Chet Huntley, Tender

21. David Sontag, Bricklayer
Gunther's Masonry Construction
Lethbridge, AB
Sonny Harvey, Tender

22. Marlon Rodriquez, Bricklayer
Alban Masonry
Manassas Park, VA
Osmel Chavez, Tender

23. Riel Voigt, Bricklayer
S & S Masonry
Langley, BC
Theo Van Tunen, Tender

24. Darrell Evett, Bricklayer
Evett Masonry
Scottsboro, AL
Joey Evans, Tender

25. Leslie Weston, Bricklayer
Leslie Weston Masonry
Ilfracombe, Devon, England, UK
Ross Walker, Tender

For more information on this event go to www.specmixbricklayer500.com or go to The 2017 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 World Championship Digital Magazine that will give you a history and background of the Regional and World Championship competition program.
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